Pune: “It Felt Humiliating”: Pune Students Allege Forced Haircuts at The Kalyani School
Pune, 5 November 2025: What began as a regular school day at The Kalyani School in Pune turned into a distressing experience for many students when they were allegedly forced to get haircuts on campus without their parents’ approval, a move that has since drawn widespread condemnation from parents, activists, and education experts.
Students from Grades 6 to 12 were reportedly pulled out of class between 8 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. on October 31, and made to undergo haircuts by barbers brought to the school premises. “We had no choice. The same razors and combs were used on everyone without cleaning. It felt humiliating,” one student said. Each haircut reportedly cost ₹300, deducted from the students’ security deposits.
The uproar stems from a late-night email sent by the school administration around 9:52 p.m. on October 30, informing parents that “personal grooming and discipline” were integral to the school’s values. The email warned that students failing to meet grooming standards would have their hair trimmed on campus. Parents have criticised the timing of the notice, saying it left them with no time to object or communicate with the school.
When several parents arrived at the school the next morning after hearing about the incident, they were allegedly denied entry and told that the matter was part of the institution’s “internal discipline policy.” The incident, however, quickly spread through parent networks and social media, leading to a wave of anger across the city.
Many parents have accused the school of gender bias, pointing out that only boys were targeted by the rule while girls were exempted. “This is about respect and consent. How can the school take such personal decisions about children’s appearance without informing parents?” one aggrieved parent said.
Child rights advocates have also weighed in, calling the act a breach of dignity and bodily autonomy. They argue that grooming rules should not translate into forced compliance, especially when minors are involved.
It has since emerged that an earlier circular had reminded students to maintain the prescribed dress code. However, there was no mention of disciplinary measures such as on-campus haircuts, according to parents who have reviewed past communications.
As outrage continues to grow, activists and parents’ associations are now demanding a public apology from The Kalyani School, the withdrawal of the haircut directive, and a formal inquiry by the Maharashtra Education Department. Child welfare groups have urged the state to establish clear consent protocols and to hold schools accountable for disciplinary actions that directly affect students’ physical or emotional wellbeing.
